Mr Richard May (later known as Mr John Adams), 26, was born in the village of Pancrasweek, West Devon in 1886. He was the son of John May (agricultural labourer) and Mary Elizabeth May. He was the brother of John Henry and Ethel Mary Elizabeth.

Richard worked as a farm hand and at some time moved from Devon to live in Yeovil, Somerset. By 1912 he had moved to live at Heath Cottage, Alum Chine Road, Bournemouth, Dorset.

He boarded Titanic at Southampton as a third class passenger (ticket number 341826, £8 1s) under the new name of John Adams. The apparent reason for this was that he was escaping a failed relationship. His destination was given as Indiana.

Richard May (aka John Adams) died in the sinking. His body was recovered by the cable ship MacKay Bennett (#103) on 23 April 1912 and buried at sea the following day.

NO. 103. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 28. - HAIR AND MOUSTACHE, LIGHT.

CLOTHING - Grey suit; soft striped shirt; brown boots.

EFFECTS - One silver watch; one nickel watch; two coin chains; pouch; two knives; purse $15.00 in gold; $3.00 in bills and coins.